SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - With seven horses, 32 blankets, some tobacco and sweet grass - and an apology - a company has settled a lawsuit brought by American Indians over the marketing of Crazy Horse Malt Liquor.

John Stroh III, chairman of SBC Holdings Inc., read a letter of apology to descendants of the warrior Crazy Horse and other Indians at a ceremony Thursday night on the Rosebud Reservation, about 250 miles southwest of Sioux Falls.

"We understand your deep and sincere feeling that the marketing of the malt liquor beverage ... disparaged his spirit and caused you and his other descendants emotional distress," he said.

His remarks came one day after SBC announced the company - which got out of the brewing business in 1999 - had settled the lawsuit over the use of the Crazy Horse name.

The settlement includes 32 Pendleton blankets, 32 braids of sweet grass, 32 twists of tobacco and seven thoroughbred race horses. It does not include money.

The malt liquor was distributed in 32 states and manufactured at seven
breweries, said Christina Kirk-Kazhe, a lawyer for the estate.

"We've always felt that this case hasn't been just about the money,"
Kirk-Kazhe said. "It's a step toward clearing the name for Crazy Horse
and his descendants and restoring the spirit of Crazy Horse as a strong
Indian leader."

Seth H. Big Crow, administrator of the Crazy Horse estate, said the
apology is the most important thing to the Sioux people.

The Montana Hills, steeped in the history of
the American West, home of Proud Indian Nations.
A land where imagination conjures up images of blue clad
pony soldiers and magnificent Native American Warriors.
A land still rutted with wagon tracks of intrepid pioneers.
A land of character, and tradition.
A land that truly speaks of the spirit that is America.

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) ACCORDING TO THE SURGEON
GENERAL, WOMEN SHOULD NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
DURING PREGNANCY BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS.
(2) CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IMPAIRS YOUR
ABILITY TO DRIVE A CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY, AND MAY
CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS.

The Chattanooga Labeling Systems' building
can be seen off of Interstate 24 approximately 3 miles west of downtown Chattanooga on the
south side of the road, just east of Covenant
Transport's whitehouse rendition and just
west of the Taco Bell franchise.

How You Can Help End the Sale of
"Crazy Horse Malt Liquor" / april 2000

"Black Hills of Dakota . . . home of Proud Indian Nations.
A land where imagination conjures up images of blue clad
Pony Soldiers and magnificent Native American Warriors ...
where wailful winds whisper of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Custer."

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HEADLINE: "Crazy Horse" beer connection false and misleading.
DATE: December 2, 1995
CONTACT: Robert Gough, Attorney for
Estate of Tasunke Witko (Crazy Horse)
(605) 856-2879
ROSEBUD, SD -- "The message is clear. Brewing companies using and
defaming the good name of our grandfathers will not be tolerated,"
said Mr. Seth H. Big Crow, Sr., administrator of the Crazy Horse
estate upon learning that the label registrations for "The Original
Crazy Horse Malt Liquor" and "Chief Oshkosh Beer" had been revoked
by the Minnesota Commission for Public Safety as stating
connections which are "false and misleading".
In her eight page opinion dated November 28, 1995, Assistant
Commissioner Mary Ellison, adopted the findings and recommendation
of Administrative Law Judge, Allen Giles, who presided over a two
day hearing in April. The Commissioner revoked the label under
Minnesota law for liquor brand registration, because "Tasunke Witko
(Crazy Horse) was opposed to the use of alcoholic beverages, and
because the heirs of his estate have not endorsed and have
specifically disavowed any connection with Crazy Horse Malt Liquor,
the Crazy Horse Malt Liquor brand label states or implies in a
false or misleading manner a connection to Tasunke Witko a/k/a
Crazy Horse, a deceased American Indian leader."
Another brand label "Chief Oshkosh Beer", bearing the name of
the famous Menominee American Indian leader, was also determined to
be false and misleading, and was likewise revoked. Roberta Oshkosh
Robinson, of Neopit, Wisconsin, a lineal descendant of the
Menominee chief, had provided an affidavit disavowing any
association or endorsement to the beer bearing her family name.
"This is a wonderful decision. I would like to see other states
begin respecting the rights of Indian people in this way."
The "Crazy Horse Malt Liquor" label has previously been
rejected in several states, including Nebraska and Washington, and
several other states, including California, are presently
considering legislation. Ferolito, Vultaggio & Sons, owners of
Hornell Brewing Company, who produce the malt liquor in association
with the G. Heileman Brewing Company, also make a line of non-
alcoholic products under the "Arizona" iced teas and fruit drinks,
have recently found those products the subject of a nationwide
boycott called by support groups from New York, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Colorado, and California, as a result of their continued
refusal to remove the Crazy Horse name from the malt liquor.
Robert Gough, attorney for the Estate of Tasunke Witko, which
intervened in the Minnesota action, welcomed the decision, stating
that "Minnesota's revocation of beer labels which falsely depict
American Indian leaders such as the Lakota, Crazy Horse and the
Menominee's Chief Oshkosh is a victory for the human rights of all
Indian people in this country. It speaks to the protection of the
right of Indians families to control the use of the names of their
ancestors and leaders, especially in the area of alcohol products,
which are highly regulated and have been particularly devastating
to Indian people."